Police: Man Attempted to Tip Off Buyers to Drug Deal, Created Police Chase

A 25-year-old Hobart Street resident tipped off a suspect in an alleged drug transaction Wednesday afternoon and caused the suspect to flee in a car with two women being held against their will, police said.

Officers took Jose Figueroa, of 283 Hobart St. in Meriden, into custody following the incident and booked him on charges of interfering with police, reckless endangerment, criminal liability for the acts of another, conspiracy to commit unlawful restraint, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, evading responsibility, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle without a license, failure to insure motor vehicle and failure to renew registration.

Figueroa was arraigned in Meriden Superior Court Thursday, court officials said, and was held in lieu of a $250,000 court-set bond.

Detective Lt. Mark Walerysiak said Thursday that officers were in the area of Twiss Street around 3 p.m. Wednesday conducting surveillance on an alleged drug transaction that was going to take place. Figueroa, 25, informed a second suspect that police were in the area.

The suspect was in a parked care with two women, police reports said, and the women attempted to exit the car. The suspect refused to wait, however, and took off at a high rate of speed even as the women were still trying to exit the vehicle.

Prosecutors and Meriden police have filed a warrant and are seeking additional charges against the second suspect in the case.

Walerysiak said Thursday that prosecutors are also working with police to determine whether Figueroa and the second suspect could face kidnapping charges as well.

Court officials said Thursday that Figueroa remains in state custody and is due back in Meriden Superior Court on June 6.

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